The desert winds screamed across the barren plains of Dorvalla, carrying with them a choking haze of dust and sand. Once, the planet's mines had produced endless streams of ore, fueling the engines of industry across the galaxy. But now, the mines were empty, their tunnels abandoned like hollow skeletons. Few remained on Dorvalla, scraping out meager lives among the ruins. Fewer still dared venture far from what little remained of the settlements.
Kael Drayen, however, had no choice.
At six years old, the boy had already learned to survive on his own. He stood atop a jagged ridge, his small frame silhouetted against the twin suns dipping low on the horizon. His black hair was tangled and matted with dust, his brown eyes scanning the endless expanse of dry earth below. A scavenger's life wasn't easy, but Kael knew the land like the back of his hand.
Today was different. Something had drawn him out further than ever before.
Kael couldn't explain it—not even to himself. It was a feeling, a pull deep within his chest. He didn't know what it was, but he couldn't ignore it. The air around him seemed heavier than usual, charged with an invisible energy that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.
As he descended the rocky outcrop, his bare feet kicking up small clouds of sand, Kael felt the sensation intensify. It was as though the planet itself was guiding him, calling him toward something.
A low rumble reached his ears, faint at first but growing louder with each passing moment. Kael froze, squinting up at the sky. At first, he saw nothing but the glare of the suns. Then, a black speck appeared, growing larger as it descended.
"A ship?" Kael whispered, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.
His heart leapt. He had seen ships before, though only from a distance. Dorvalla had little to offer travelers, and most avoided the dying planet altogether. The idea that someone would land here—and so close to him—sent a wave of excitement and fear coursing through his small frame.
The ship descended with practiced precision, its engines kicking up a swirling vortex of dust and debris. Kael ducked behind a boulder, peeking out cautiously as the Lambda-class shuttle settled on the ground. It was sleek and angular, painted in the stark gray and black tones of the Empire.
Kael had heard stories of the Empire, whispered by the miners who had refused to leave Dorvalla. They spoke of men in white armor who obeyed without question and of a dark figure whose name was never spoken aloud.
The ramp of the shuttle lowered with a mechanical hiss, and Kael's breath caught in his throat.
Stormtroopers marched down first, their pristine white armor gleaming despite the swirling dust. They moved with precise, almost mechanical efficiency, their blasters held at the ready. Kael shrank further behind the rock, his heart pounding in his chest.
Then, he saw the man who followed.
He was clad in black armor from head to toe, his cape billowing in the dry wind. The man's helmet gleamed like polished obsidian, and his every step seemed to carry the weight of a collapsing star. The stormtroopers flanked him in perfect formation, their movements almost reverent.
Kael didn't know who he was, but he felt an overwhelming sense of dread wash over him. The man's presence seemed to drain the very air from Kael's lungs.
Darth Vader surveyed the landscape, his mechanical breathing the only sound amidst the sudden stillness. He turned his head slightly, as if listening to something only he could hear.
"Spread out," Vader commanded, his voice a low rumble that sent chills down Kael's spine. "The boy is near."
Kael's eyes widened. The boy? Were they looking for him? How could they possibly know he was here?
He didn't have time to think. The stormtroopers fanned out, their boots crunching against the dry earth. One of them turned toward Kael's hiding spot, and panic surged through him.
The strange energy inside him pulsed, growing stronger and more chaotic. Kael clenched his fists, his breathing quick and shallow. He wanted to run, but his legs wouldn't move.
As the stormtrooper approached, Kael felt the energy reach a breaking point. Without thinking, he thrust his hands forward.
The boulder beside him trembled, then shot forward with incredible force, slamming into the stormtrooper and sending him sprawling. Kael stared in shock, his hands still outstretched.
Vader turned sharply, his helmet locking onto Kael's position. The remaining troopers raised their blasters, but Vader raised a hand.
"Hold your fire," he said. His tone was calm, almost intrigued.
Kael stepped out from behind the boulder, his small frame trembling. He didn't understand what had just happened, but he knew he couldn't hide now.
"You feel it, don't you?" Vader said, taking a step closer. His voice was impossibly deep, each word laced with power. "The Force is strong with you, child. Stronger than I have felt in years."
"I-I didn't mean to—" Kael stammered, but Vader interrupted him.
"You do not yet understand," Vader said. "But you will."
Kael took a step back, fear gripping him. "I don't… I don't want to hurt anyone."
Vader tilted his head slightly, as if studying the boy. "You have no choice. The galaxy is a dangerous place. Without strength, you will be crushed by it."
The boy's eyes darted to the stormtroopers, who stood silently, their weapons still trained on him. He had spent his entire life alone, fighting to survive. The idea of strength—of not having to be afraid anymore—was tempting.
"Will you hurt me?" Kael asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vader was silent for a moment. Then, he replied, "Only if you give me reason to."
The shuttle rose into the sky, leaving the desolate plains of Dorvalla behind. Kael sat in silence, staring down at his hands. He didn't know where he was going or what awaited him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his life had changed forever.
Vader stood nearby, his arms folded across his chest. Behind his mask, the Sith Lord allowed himself a faint smile. The Force had delivered him a weapon more powerful than he had ever imagined.
And soon, that weapon would be his to command.